Oct 6, 2018

Remembering Mets History: (2000) NLDS Game #2: Mets Even Series With the San Francisco Giants

The 2000 NLCS opened up with San Francisco Giants beating the Mets 5-1. Livan Hernandez was the winning pitcher as Mike Hampton took the loss. The Mets regrouped after losing Game #1, Manager; Bobby Valentine sent Al Leiter to the mound face the Giants; (& former Met) Sean Estes in Game #2 of the 2000 NLDS.

New York got some help from Estes in the top of the 2nd, Robin Ventura was hit by a pitch & then Benny Agbayani & Mike Bordick both walked. In stepped the hot hitting little Mets outfielder; Timo Perez. Perez continued his amazing hot streak, as he singled, bringing in the first two Mets runs.

In the bottom of the 2nd, Ellis Burks doubled home Jeff Kent putting the Giants on the board; 2-1 Mets.

The score remained 2-1 until the 9th inning. Estes had been knocked out after three innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Kirk Rueter pitched 4.1 scoreless innings & Doug Henry 0.2 innings.

In the top of the inning, with two outs & facing Felix Rodriguez, Timo Perez got his third hit of the night. Next, Edgardo Alfonzo blasted a two run HR over Barry Bonds head in left center field, making it 4-1 New York.

In the bottom of the 9th, Al Leiter exited with a runner on first and the 4-1 lead. Through eight innings, Leiter had only allowed one run, on five hits with six strikeouts. The unreliable Armando Benitez then came in & the drama began. First Jeff Kent doubled & then Benitez served up a three run HR to JT Snow, tying the game 4-4. But these Mets didn’t go down so easy, in the top of the 10th inning, with two outs, pinch hitter Daryl Hamilton doubled off Felix Rodriguez. Jay Payton stepped in driving a single to center field scoring Hamilton with was to be the winning run.

In the bottom of the 10th, Benitez gave up a lead off single, to pinch hitter Armando Rios. Bobby Valentine came out & yanked him in favor of John Franco.

The veteran Franco retired the side in order, including striking out Barry Bonds to end the game. The Mets went back to New York tied at one game each.